Aluminum paint mixer



May 30, 1933. PG. LEE mums ALUMINUM PAINT MIXER Filed Sept. 20, 1930Fank G Leelnverwr:

Patented May 3%, 1933 FRANK G. LEE, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TSTANDARD- OIL COMPANY;

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COREORATION 0F INDIANA ALUll-IINUM PAIHT IYIIXERApplication filed. September 20,1930. Serial No. 483,296.

This invention relates to an aluminum paint mixer. Aluminum pamt is usedin increasing amounts in petroleum refineries and elsewhere; it isparticularly useful in painting storage tanks and similar devices wherea good reflector is required as well as a protective coating. Aluminumpaint can: not be stored successfully in a ready mixed condition and itis therefore necessary to mix the aluminum powder with varnish or othervehicle as needed. Aluminum powder, being very light and finely divided,rapidly fills the surrounding atmosphere when mixed in the ordinarymanner. In such cases there is not only an economic loss of aluminumpowder, but there is a health hazard to painters and explosive hazard tothe mixers. The object of my invention is to minimize these hazards andto avoid the loss of aluminum powder.

A further object is to provide a combination of mixer, container andmeasuring device whereby difierent containers may be selectivelycombined with the mixer and measuring device for completing a new and improved combination. A further object is to provide means for securingthe container to the measuring device. ther objects will be apparentfrom the following detailed clescription.

In practicing my invent-ion I couple a commercial aluminum powder can(container) to a drum-receiving hopper and seal the joint with a tightgasket. The hopper forms the upper partof a measuring or proportioningdevice which, in turn, is adapted to be tightly mounted over an enclosedmixing chamber. The package in which the powder is shipped (container)becomes a part of my combination and cooperates with the proportioningdevice and mixer whereby an aluminum paint of any desired quantity andproportions may be mixed in an entirely closed system without loss ofpowder. and without danger to workmen.

My invention will be more clearly understood from the accompanyingdrawing wherein I have shown an elevation of my improved paint mixer.This mixer may be mounted on asuitable support or table 10 paint outletmay extend therethrough and deliver the mixed paint to bucket 12 mountedon shelf 13, carried by cross arms-14,

which are, in turn, secured to table legs, 15.

The paint mixer may be a cylindrical vessel 16 having a tapered bottom17 terminating in a discharge pipe 18 and valve 19.

The mixing mechanism may consist of a strap mixer 20 mounted on a shaft21 journaled in bearing supports 22. A bevelled gear 23 is keyed to theend of shaft 21 and is driven by a bevelled gear 24, keyed to shaft 25which is turned by a crank. 26. The other end of shaft 25 may besuitably jours 'naled by vertical support 27 mounted on the upperjournal support 22.

The top of mixing chamber 16 is provided with a smooth, cylindricalflange 28 adapted to snugly fit telescopically into a similar flange 29on mixer or proportioning chamber 30. This chamber consistsof acylindrical vessel 31 of reduced diameter mounted on an inverted hopper32. The vessel con tains a measuring hopper 33,-the outlet of which isregulated by a gate valve 34 regu-. lated by a suitable handle 35. A.similar gate valve 36 operated by handle 37 controls the admission ofthe aluminum powder from an upper hopper, the outlet of which is alignedwith the central aperture 38 in gasket 39, which is secured to theopened end of container 40. The container 40 is physically supported bydrum receiving hopper 41 which terminates in an enlarged upper cylinder42. v

A suitable window (not shown) may be provided in the wall of chamber 30and a suitable scale may be indicated on the hopper 33 so that theproportions of the aluminum powder can be accurately regulated.

The canvas gasket 39 is securely tied around the can or container 40,gate valve 36 is closed, the cylindrical end 42 of drum receiving hopper41 is secured to the open end of the aluminum powder can over the gasketand the entire assembly is then inverted and telescopically fitted overthe mixing chamber by means of telescopic flanges 28 and 29.

A vehicle funnel 43 communicates with the mixing chamber through pipe 44which enters inverted hopper 32 and which is provided with a suitableregulating valve 45.

5 The operation of the invention is apparent from the above description.The canvas gasket compensates for irregularities in sizes and shapes ofcontainers or shipping packages,it is a means whereby any container maybe tightly mounted over the measuring device without loss of powder.This gasket acts as a seal to prevent loss of powder, a packing to holdthe container on the upper portion 40 of hopper 89, and a distributorfor properly directing and feeding'the powder.

While I have described the combination for mixing aluminum paint, it isunderstood v that this apparatus may be used for mixing otheringredients,the container may be filled with a liquid instead ofaluminum powder or it may contain any other substance which may be fedby gravity in amounts measured and regulated by the hoppers and gatevalves above described or their equivalents.

The term container as used in the following claim is hereby defined as areceptacle in which a substance is marketed and transported asdistinguished from a fixed part of a mixing machine.

I claim:

The method of making aluminum paint with a liquid vehicle and aluminumpowder from a shipping container which comprises incorporating saidcontainer in a closed system and sealing the connection between thecontainer and the system to prevent loss of aluminum powder, dischargingquantities 40 of said powder from said container into said systemthrough said sealed connection, measuring quantities 01 said powder insaid closed system, depositing said measured quantities of powder into amixing zone,

separately introducing a liquid vehicle into said mixing zone, andmixing the measured quantities of powder and liquid Vehicle thusembodied into the system.

Signed this 26th day of August, 1930, at

Sugar Creek, in the county of Jackson, State of Missouri.

FRANK G. LEE.

